In this episode of Talk Tech with Tiff I sat down with Brian. With over 20 years of experience in software engineering and leadership, Brian had a wealth of knowledge and perspective to share with us.
Previously, Brian was the VP of Engineering at Amun / 21 Shares, where he led the engineering team that developed and launched the world's first crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) on regulated stock exchanges. He also served as the VP of Engineering at Voice, a blockchain-based social media platform, and as the Senior Director of Engineering at Major League Soccer, where he oversaw the digital transformation of the league's web and mobile platforms.
Here are some of my key takeaways from our conversation:
Throughout his career, Brian has built, led, and mentored high-performing engineering teams, cultivated a customer-focused culture, and developed effective stakeholder relationships.
Alternative Progression Routes: Career advancement in tech doesn't necessarily mean moving into management. Emphasizing personal strengths and interests is vital for determining one's unique path, whether it involves management or excelling as an individual contributor.
Personal Projects as Learning Tools: Engaging in projects based on personal interests or needs is an effective way to develop new skills and stay motivated. These projects can be instrumental in solving real-world problems while enhancing technical expertise.
Adaptability in a Fast-Changing Environment: The tech industry's rapid evolution requires professionals to be adaptable, open to change, and ready to embrace new challenges and technologies.
Management and Coding Balance: As professionals ascend to managerial roles in tech, the balance between coding and management duties varies. It's essential to understand this shift and adjust accordingly, sometimes even continuing coding outside of work to stay connected with evolving technologies.
Timestamps
1:21 Who is Brian? Engineering leader
4:44 Not initially going to school for Computer Science
5:48 How did you know what you wanted to do with computer science?
8:30 do you still code as a VP of engineering
13:35 how to stay on top of technical skills when a manager
14:30 Should you do freelancing or personal interest projects on the side with coding
16:19 What is the key to sticking with personal projects
19:47 Do you prefer working with Web 2 or Web 3 tech?
22:51 The importance of being flexible in tech
How To Keep Your Tech Skills When Moving Into Management From VP of Engineering to Tech Consultant
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